Catapult



C. H. NAPIER.

CATAPULT.

APPLICATION FILED APR; w. 1920.

1,374,757, Patented Apr. 12, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

C. H. NAPIER.

CATAPULT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1920.

Patented Apr. 12, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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iillli UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. NAPIER, 0F MACON, GEORGIA.

' cannon.

Application filed ldpril 16, 1920. Serial No. 374,452.

and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Catapults, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of devices used for throwing missiles, which are generally termed catapults.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a catapult having improved means for effecting and directing the projection of a missile; to provide an improved form of mounting for said means; to provide an improved construction and arran ement of mechanism on said mounting or setting said projecting means; and to rovide a device of this kind which is particularly suitablefor use in throwin clay pigeon targets.

An illustrative embo iment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawin%, in whichj igure 1 is a perspective view of a catapult constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3 of Fi 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectlonal elevation taken on y the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the specific embodiment herein illustrated the catapult comprises a mounting A, projecting means B, setting mechanism C, and tripping or releasing mechanism D, so arranged that when set up in the desired location the apparatus may be manually'or mechanically operated for successively setting the projecting means and after theplacing of a missile thereon, releasing the same for throwing the missile at practically any desired angle. The device represented in the drawings and more fully hereinafter described is one that has been constructed particularly for use in throwing clay pigeon The base 1 is herein shown in the form of a metal casting which is adapted to be se- Specificatlon of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 12', 1921.

cured to a plank or other foundation member 4, by which the device is the more firmly mounted in the desired location.

The turret 2 is in the form of a plate .5 which is rotatablysupported upon the base 1 by having a hub 6 seated in a socket '7 formed in said base and having upstand- 1ng ar1 ns or standards 8 upon which the pro ecting means and setting mechanism are supported. A lug 9 depending from the forwardedge of the turret plate 5 coacts w1th the lugs 10 (see Fig. 1) on the base 1 for limiting the rotational movement of the turret. arranged on the lugs 10 for the purpose of obtaining a closer adjustment of the angular movement of the turret 2.

The idler bracket 3 which carries the idler 11 constituting a part of the setting mechanism C, 'herein shown in the form of a casting rigldly secured to the base 1 rearwardly of the turret and grooved to provide Suitable adjusting screws 10 area guideway for the bar 12 which also forms in my 00- ending application Ser. No; 356,763, file Feb. 6, 1920, and comprises a V-shaped frame 1 which is pivoted at its crotch to the standards 8 of the turret 2,

and has a platform 15 subtending the angle formed by said V-shaped frame, upon which a projecting member 16 is reciprocatingly mounted under the action of suitable power means 26 for coacting with said platform in projecting missiles of the desired type.

The V-shaped frame 14 is pivotally supported in place by a pivot pin 17 secured to the upper ends of the standards 8 and has a depending arm 18 which is provided with a slot 19 arranged concentrically with the axis of the pivot pin 17 throu h which a suitable clampingbolt 2O exten s, whereby the angularity of the projecting means with respect to the horizontal may be varied.

The platform or plate 15 and the projecting member 16 are of the type shown in the aforesaid patent. The platform 15 is secured at its ends to the ends of the V-shaped frame 14 and is provided with a guideway 21 extending throughout or a greater portion of the length thereof, along which the projecting member 16 is movable. A guide rail or flange 22 is arranged along one side of the platform substantlally parallel to the guideway 21 and supports a strip of friction material 23, preferably rubber, spaced above the platform 15 and extending inwardly toward the guideway 21, which strip coacts withthe projecting member 16 in guiding the missile and giving it the desired movement as it is discharged from the platform.

The projecting member 16 as herein shown is in the form of a block having suitable rollers 24 (see Fig. 2) secured to the sides thereof and received in suitable grooves or runways formed in the platform 15 at the sides of the guidew'ay 21. A roller 25 is journaled on said block a predetermined distance above the face of the platform so as to properly engage the missile. The periphery of this roller preferably has a band of friction material such as rubber secured thereto which coacts with the rubber strip 23 during the travel of the missile along the platform to give it the desired ac-' tion as it leaves said platform.

The power means 26 as herein shown is in the form of a comparatively heavy coiled spring secured by a suitable swivel connection 27 near the upper end of one arm of the V-shaped frame 14, and at the other end to a chain 28 which runs over a roller 28 on the frame 14 and is attached to an arm 29 on the pulley 30 forming a part of the setting mechanism, which will be m'ore fully hereinafter described. The action of the spring 26 is transferred to the projecting member 16 through the medium of an .arm 31 rigidly secured at one end to the pulley 30 so as to rotate therewith, and a link 32 connected at one end to the upper end of the arm 31 and at 33 to the projecting member 16.

A suitable locking pawl 34 is pivoted at 35 adjacent the rear end of the guideway 21 and normally urged by a spring 36 so that a shoulder 37 on said pawl is adapted to engage a shoulder 38 on the projecting member 16 and hold said projecting member in its set or retracted position.

The setting mechanism C comprises the pulley 30, idler 11 and bar 12, together with a flexible connection 39 secured at one end to the bar12 and passing around the idler 11 and over the pulley 30 and secured at its other end to a flat spring 40, these-parts bemg so arranged that the pulling of the bar 12 outwardly rotates the pulley 30 against the action of the spring 26 and throu h the medium of the arm 31 and link 32 shi s the pro ecting member 16 to the rear end of the guideway 21.

The pulley 30 is of the flanged t pe and 1s ournaled on the pivot pin 17. lugs or as to cause the rotation of the pulley 30. By

such an arrangement the flexible connection 39 is always available when it is desired to rotate the pulley ,30 against the action of the power means 26, but. is free to be shifted relatively of the pulley 30 under the action of the spring 40 independently of said pulley. Accordingly, the spring 40 normally urges the bar 12 toward the inner limit of its movement so that the inclined cam surface 44 thereon is brought into position to coact with the post 45 which forms a part of the tripping mechanism D, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The idler 11 and pulley 30 are of such diameters and their pivots relatively located so that that part of the flexible connection 39 leading from the periphery of one to the other ofsaid idler and pulley is disposed substantially in vertical alinenrent with the axis of the turret 2,-so that regardless of the angular position of the turret 2 on the base 1 the setting mechanism C may be actuated by the bar 12.

The flexible connection 39 is herein illustrated as a chain although it will be understood that a cable or rope may be used with equal effectiveness.

The bar 12, as has already been explained, is slidably supported on the idler bracket 3, the salme being held in place by means of a pair of plates 46 attached to the top of the idler bracket 3 and overhanging the ideway in which said bar is slidable. TlHS bar may he slid back and forth either manually or mechanically.

The tripping or releasing mechanism D comprises the post 45, a lever 47 and the bar 12. The post 45'is supported with its lower end in a socket 48 formed in the turret plate 5 concentrically with the axis of said turret. A spring 49 is located in the socket 48 and extends into a socket 50 formed in the end of the post 45. This spring provides a resilient seat for said post, whereby said post may be vertically shifted. The lower portion of the post is properly shaped and recessed as at 51 so as to embrace that part of the flexible connection 39 which extends from the periphery of the idler 11 and pulley 30, whereby said post is located in vertical alinement with the axis of the turret 2 so that its. functional relationship to the various parts of the mechanism remains constant regardless of the angular position of the turret 2.

The lever 47 is pivotally mounted at 52 on the frame 14 and has the end 53 thereof bearing against the locking pawl 34 and. the end 54 extending through 'a slot 55 formed in the upper end of the post 45. The slot 55 is shaped to provide knife-like edges 56'which bear against the lever 47 and con stitute a shifting pivotal connection between the lever 47 and post 45, which is necessitate'd in order to avoid any bindin of the parts, of this tripping mechanism when the projecting mechanism B is shifted to various angular positions in a horizontal plane by the rotation of the turret 2 on the base 1, or has its vertical position varied through the tilting of the V-shaped frame 14 on the standards 8.

The bar 12 is provided with an inclined shoulder or cam surface 44 at its inner end and is adaptedto coact with a shoulder 57 constituting the bottom of the recess 51 so that an inward movement of the bar 12 will cause said cam surface 44 and shoulder 57 to coact to depress the post 45 against the the action of the'spiring 26, thereby causing the arm 31 and lin 32 to shift the'projecting member 16 rearwardly along the guideway 21 until the shoulders 38 and 37 come into interlocking engagement. A missile as for example a clay pigeon target 58, Fig. 1) is placed upon the platform 15 in' engagement with the friction strip 23. and the roller 25. As soon as a pull on the bar 12 is ceased the spring 40 shifts the chain 39 over the pulley 30. and draws the bar 12 back to theposition shown in Fig. 2. .The turret 2 and the projecting mechanism mounted thereon is shifted about vertical axis to the desired angular position and at the desired time or signal the bar 12 is pushed inwardly so as to cause the inclined cam surface 44 to engage the shoulder 57' on the post 45 sothat the post is depressed against the action of. the. spring 49. This swings the lever 47 so as to cause the end 53 thereof to shift the locking pawl 34 in such a way as to disengage the shoulder 37 from the shoulder 38, whereupon the spring 26 acting through the pulley 30, arm 31 and link .32 shoots the projecting member 16 out wardly along the guideway 21 resulting in the'missile 58 being projected from the device. By reason of the momentum of the parts thus suddenly released the ul ley 30 and arm 31 tend to move beyond t elrnormal positions as .shown in Fig. 2. Thu;

this invention has been herein shown and. described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim: e 1. A'device of;the class described, comprising a base, a member mounted thereon and adapted to. direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said member 'for projectintgthe missile, an element rock'- ably mounte on said base and connected to said projecting means, power means con nected to rock said element for actuating said projecting means, mechanism connected to sald element so as to rock the same against the action of said power means for setting said projecting means, a lock fo riholding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, and means for retractingsaid look so as to effect the release of said projecting means.

i 2. A device of the class described, comprising a base, amember mounted thereon and adapted to direct the projectlon of a missile, means movable along said member for projecting the missile, a plilley j ournaled on said base, an arm rigidly secured to r otate with said pulley and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rotate said pulley for actuating said prov .as to shift said projecting means into its retracted position, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, and means for retracting said lock so as to effect the release of said projecting means.

'3. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a member mounted thereon and adapted to direct the projection of a' .missile, means movable along said member for projecting the missile, a pulley ournaled on said base, an arm rlgidly secured to rotate with said pulley and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rotate said pulley for actuating said projecting means, a member shiftably mounted on said base, a flexible connection leading from said shiftable member over 'said pulley and having its other end con nected .to ielding means which normall urges said s iftable member toward one lim t of :its movement independently of the posii T missile, means movable along said member for projecting the missile, a flanged pulley rotatably journaled on said base and having a lug extending radially outward from each of the flanges of said pulley and connected together at their outer ends, an arm rigidly secured to rotate with said pulley and connected to said projecting means, power means connected-to rotate said pulley for actuating said projecting means, a bar shiftably mounted on said base, a chain connected at one end to said bar and extending around said pulley and connected at its other end to yielding means supported on said base, a knob secured to said chain so as to abut against said pulley lugs whereby the shifting 0 said bar in one direction rotates said pulley against the action of said power means for the purpose of setting said projecting member, said yielding means normally urging said bar in the opposite direction independently ofthe position of said pulley, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position,,and means for retracting said look so as to effect the release of said projecting means.

5 A device of the class described, comprising a base, a turret rotatably mounted on said base and having a standard formed A thereon, a member supported on said standard and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said standard for projectin the missile, an element rockably mounte on said standard and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rock said element for the purpose of actuatin said projecting means, mechanism shifta ly mounted on said base and connected to rock said element against the action of said power means for setting said projecting means, a lock for holdingsaid projecting means in its set or retracted position, and other means for retracting said look so as to eifect the release of said projecting means.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a turret rotatably supported on said base and having a standard formed thereon, a member supported on said standard and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said member for projecting the missile, a

pulley journaled on said standard, an arm rigidly secured to rotate with said pulley and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rotate said pulley for the purpose of actuating said projecting means, a bar slidably mounted on said base radially of the axis of said turret, an.

idler journaled on said base between said pulley and said bar, a flexible connection secured at one end to said bar and extending around said idler and over said pulley, means on said flexible connection adapted to coact with said pulley whereby the shifting of said bar will cause the rotation of said pulley against the action of said power means for the purpose of setting said projecting means, said pulley and idler being of such diameters and journaled relative to each other so that the flexible connection leading from the periphery of one to the other is disposed substantially in vertical alinement with the axis of saidturret, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, and other means for-retracting said look so as to effeet the release of said projecting means.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a member supported thereon and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said member for projecting the missile, power means connected. to said projecting means for actuating the same, mechanism for setting said projecting means, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, a post supported with its lower end in a socket formed on said base, the end of said post resting upon resilient means located insaid socket, a cam member shiftable into and out of position to coact with a cam surface on said post, whereby said post is adapted to be shifted against the action of said resilient means, and a connection between said post and said lock whereby the shifting of said post retracts said lock so as to effect therelease of said projecting means.

8. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a turret rotatably mounted thereon, a member mounted on said turret and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said member for projecting the missile, an element rockably mounted on said turret and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rocksaid element for actuating said projecting means, mechanism for shifting said-element against the action of said a power means for setting said projecting a I means, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, a post supported with its lower end in a socket formed in said turret concentric with the axis thereof, the. lower end of said ost resting on resilient means located in sald socket,

' a cam-member adapted to be shifted into and out of position for wanting with a cam surfaceon said post whereby the same is adapted to be depressed against the act1on of said resilient means, and a connection'between said post and said lock whereto said projecting means, power means connected to rock said element for actuating said projecting means, mechanism for shiftthereon, a member supported on said stand-- ing said element against the action of said power means for setting said projecting means, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, a post supported with its lower end in a socket formed in said turret concentric with the axis thereof, the lower end of said post resting on resilient means located in said socket, a cam member adapted to be shifted into and out of position for coacting with a cam surface on said post whereby-the same is adapted to be depressed against the action of said resilient means, and a lever pivoted on said member and having-one end thereof connected to said post and the other contacting with said'lock, whereby the depression of said postretracts s'aid look so as to effect the release of said projecting means.

10. A device-of the class described, comprising a base, a turret. rotatably supported r on said'base and having a standard formed ard and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said member for projectin the'missile, a pulley journaled on said stan ard, an arm rigidly secured to rotate with said pulley and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rotate said pulley for the purpose of actuating said projectlng means, a bar slidably mounted on said base radially of the axis of said turret, an idler journaled on said base between said pulley and said bar, a flexible connection secured at one end to said bar and extending around said idler and over said pulley, means on said flexible connection adapted to ooact with said pulley whereby the shifting of said bar will cause the rotation of said pulley against the action of said power means for'the purpose of setting said projectingmeans, said pulley and idler being of such diameters and journaled relative to each other so. that the flexible connection leading from the periphe of one to the other is disposed substantial y in vertical alinement with the axis of said turdepression 0 ret, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted position, a vertically disposed post supported with its lower end in a socket formedin said turret concentric 11. A device of the class described, com- I prising a base, a turret rotatably supported on said base and having a standard formed thereon, a; member supported on said standard and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means movable along said member for projectin the missile, a pulley journaled on said stan ard, an arm r gidly secured to rotate with said pulley and connected to said projecting means, power means connected to rotate said pulley for the purpose of actuating said projecting means, a bar slidably mounted on said base radially 'of' the axis of said turret, an idler journaled on said base between said pulley and said bar, a flexible connection secured at one end to said bar-and extending around said idler and over said pulley, means on said flexible connection adapted to coact with said pulley 7 whereby the shifting of said bar will cause the rotation of said pulley against the action of said wer meansv for the purpose of setting sai pro'ecting means, said pulley and idler being 0 such' diameters and journaled relative to each other so that the flexible connection leading from the periphery f one to the other is di d substantially in vertical alinement wit the axis of said turret, a lock for holding said projecting means in its set or retracted disposed post sup or with its lower end in a socket form in said turret concentric with the axis thereof, the lower end of said post resting upon resilient means located in said socket, said post having the lower portion thereof recessed to embrace that portion of the flexible connection. extending between said pulley and idler, said bar having an inclined shoulder formed on the inner end thereof adapted to coact with said at the lower end of said recess where y the sliding of said bar inwardly will de ress said post against the action of said resl ient means, and a connection between the upper end of said ost and said lock whereb the i said post will retract sai look so as to effect the release of said projecting means. r V V ition, a vertically 12. A'device of the class described, comprising a base, a turret rotatably mounted thereon and having a standard integral therewith, a V-shaped frame plvotally mounted on said standard at the angle of said V, a platform subtending the angle of said V-shaped frame and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means for adjusting the angularity of said platform with respect to said base, a member shiftably mounted on said platform and ada ted to project the missile along said plat orm, a rotatable element journaled on said standard on an axis coincident with the axis of the pivot of said V-shaped frame, an arm secured to rotate with said element and connected to said projecting .member, a spring secured at one end to sa1d frame and at the other end to said rotatable element, whereby it is adapted to rotate said element so as to actuate said projecting member, mechanism arranged on said base and adapted to rotate said element against the action of said spring for shifting said projecting member into its retracted position, a lock on said frame adapted to hold said projecting member in its set or retracted position, and means also mounted on said base and adapted to be actuated for retracting said look so as to effect the release of said projecting member.

13. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a turret rotatably mounted thereon and having a standard integral therewith, a V-shaped frame pivotally mounted on said standard at the angle of said V, a platform subtending the angle of said V-shaped frame and adapted to direct the projection of a missile, means foradjusting the angularity of said platform with respect to said base, a member shiftably mounted on said platform and adapted to proect the missile along said platform, a pulley journaled on said standard on an axis coincident with the axis of said V- shaped member, an arm rigidly securedto said pulley, means on said pulley and said connection whereby said bar may be shifted so as to rotate said pulley against the action of said spring and shift said projecting member into its retracted position, a lock on said platform adapted to hold said projecting member in its retracted position, a post supported with its lower end in a socket formed on said turret concentric with the axis thereof, the lower end of said post resting upon a spring located in said socket, coacting cam surfaces on said bar and post whereby'said bar may be shifted to depress said post against the action of said spring,

. and'a connection between the up er end of said post and said lock whereby t e depression of said post will retract said look so as to effect the release of said projecting member.

Signed at Chicago this 13th day of April, 1920.

CHARLES H. NAPIER. 

